Profile: Pedro Strop fastball averaged 97 mph in 2013. That alone helped him to an okay strikeout rate for a reliever -- 7.9 strikeouts per nine. The 28-year-old right-hander's problem is that he walks too many hitters (5.0 K/9). Even with the high number of walks, he has still been able to to maintain a sub 2.50 ERA over the past two seasons despite a FIP over 3.50. The difference is because he has moved to pitching a downward-breaking two-seam fastball with the Orioles after throwing a four-seam fastball with the Rangers. The new pitch has raised his ground-ball rate from around 40% in Texas to ~64% in Baltimore. The ground balls have helped limit his home runs. His value may be limited, though, besides his ERA. Other relievers will have better strikeout numbers and better WHIPs. He lost his setup role in September when he had a 6.48 ERA with 10 BB in 8.1 innings. Unless he regains the eighth-inning setup role, many other relief pitchers will be more useful in your fantasy league. (Jeff Zimmerman)

The Quick Opinion: Pedro Strop would be great relief pitcher if the flame thrower could get his walks under control.

Profile: Pedro Strop has always had above-average velocity and swinging strike rates, but the one thing that has stood between him and being an effective late inning reliever has been control. However, he appears to have taken a step forward in 2013, posting a 10% walk rate, the lowest mark of his career. It's tough to figure how exactly, his first strike rate only ticked up slightly and he actually threw more sliders than any point outside of 2011. "More sliders" is not something you generally associate with "better command." Strop also saw some regression in the ground ball department (49% after peaking at 64% in 2012), which is a bit of a disappointment given his transition from a four-seamer to two-seamer a few years ago. However, his 4.55 ERA was still "unlucky" thanks to a low strand rate and a home run per fly ball rate nearly double his career average. While his 3.14 SIERA and 3.30 xFIP don't scream "elite!" he should once again be one of the late inning arms in a weak Chicago Cubs bullpen. Jose Veras probably has the inside track to the ninth inning, but you can't really count on anything until the games start at Wrigley. He'll be an interesting sleeper in the late rounds of mixed league drafts if you skip taking saves early, but make sure you aren't passing on someone you really like. (Colin Zarzycki)

The Quick Opinion: Although his 4.55 ERA wasn't fantastic, the decrease in Pedro Strop's 2013 walk rate leads to some hope that he could be a solid late-inning reliever. In a weak Chicago Cubs bullpen, he could be in the in for saves on the North Side, making him a decent flier in the last couple rounds of drafts.

Profile: Pedro Strop thoroughly recovered from his home run flu in 2014. With a 2.21 ERA and 2.66 FIP, Strop again hoisted himself in a late-inning fireman and setup man role. It will be interesting to see how Joe Maddon employs the sinker-slinging ground-ball machine. In the past, Maddon has used his some of his best pitchers in clutch innings -- regardless of the inning. This may limit Strop's save ceiling, but it could also increase his hold and win total (because Maddon may employ him while losing). Unfortunately, the Cubs acquisition of Jason Motte means just one more rung for Strop to climb if he wants to close games for the Cubs. Even if his slider had the best whiff rate of any slider in baseball last year. So don't count on him closing, and if he does, it will be a nifty bonus atop his likely stellar ERA. (Bradley Woodrum)

The Quick Opinion: Saves will be limited for Strop, who figures to play a fireman role in Maddon's bullpen. And while his ERA should be good enough for a closer, don't draft him expecting saves. Think of that as a possible bonus.

Profile: Depending on where you set the minimums, Pedro Strop either has the best slider in baseball by whiff rate (minimum 250 thrown) or simply a top three one (minimum 100 thrown). In any case, once he gets to a situation in which he can throw the slider, he gets whiffs 27% of the time, and that's nice. By upping his first-pitch strike rate, he's been able to go to the pitch more, and has enjoyed a fantastic two-year stretch because of it. That isn't to say he won't fray a nerve or two when he loses the zone. Which might be why he only has five saves in that time frame, despite being in a bullpen that has been iffy at times. Still. Hector Rondon is a former Rule 5 pick with an injury-riddled past, and Strop is right there, in with a chance. Maybe this year will be the year he finally joins the ranks of top closers. He has the velocity, strikeout rate, and plus secondary pitch to belong there. (Eno Sarris)

The Quick Opinion: Command is not the name of his game, but Pedro Strop has gas and the slider to set the late innings aflame. Time to spend another offseason wondering if this year will be his breakout when it comes to saves, though.

Profile: In many ways, Pedro Strop has always been a guy with closer's stuff. But there are certain drawbacks to his game that tend to take away from that. Nonetheless, 2016 saw him as a reliable arm out of the Chicago bullpen, when healthy. His strikeout numbers were the highest as a Cub, with 11.07 K/9 representing a slight increase for the fourth consecutive season. His walks, which tend to represent something of a hurdle for him, actually declined to 2.85 BB/9. His ground ball rate jumped up to 58.5%, something that's indicative of his increased splitter usage. His ERA and FIP teamed up for marks of 2.85 and 2.91, respectively. Each represented an improved figure from the previous season. That's a lot of favorable output, and his stuff is undeniable. From an ownership perspective, though, it's difficult to rationalize a spot for Strop, for two primary reasons. For one, his 47 games was his lowest appearance total of his professional career. So there are health questions until there aren't. Also working against Strop is the number of viable closing options in the Chicago bullpen, so it's difficult to imagine him in a role outside of middle relief or setup at any point. (Randy Holt)

The Quick Opinion: Pedro Strop continued to flash great stuff out of the bullpen, with 11.41 K/9 and 2.85 BB/9, along with low ERA and FIP numbers. At the same time, health issues in 2016 and a stacked back end of the Chicago bullpen makes him a tough sell as a fantasy option moving forward.

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